2018 World Cup: Who to root for with US missing

Up-and-coming players from 32 nations have the opportunity to showcase their talents during the upcoming World Cup. Which ones will rise to the occasion and garner some serious attention on the transfer market?
Time

Argentina's Lionel Messi could be playing in his final World Cup this month in Russia.(Photo: The Associated Press)

The 2018 World Cup won’t have the same patriotic draw this year as the United States failed to qualify for the tournament for the first time since 1986.

Nevertheless, millions of Americans will still be tuning into the world soccer showcase as it begins this week, either as an unbiased neutral or picking a country to support based on family heritage or their underdog status.

If you’re not sure who to support this time around, here are a few reasons to support some of the tournament’s most exciting teams:

If you want an American connection...

Mohamed Salah, Egypt.(Photo: Nariman El-Mofty, AP)

Your new favorite team: Egypt (No. 46 world ranking)

Your new favorite player: Mohamed Salah, Forward

Egypt’s first World Cup appearance in 28 years might not have been possible without the efforts of former United States manager Bob Bradley, who coached the USMNT at the 2010 World Cup.

Taking over as national team manager less than a year after revolution fractured Egypt during the Arab Spring, Bradley led Egypt within a game of qualification for the 2014 World Cup, introducing several young players to the senior lineup along the way.

Those players have been central to Egypt’s current position in a relatively easy Group A, needing only to best Saudi Arabia and host Russia to advance from the group stages.

The Nigerians’ World Cup jerseys sold out in minutes once Nike released the green, white and black zig-zag uniforms earlier this month.

Known as the “Super Eagles” to fans and pundits, Nigeria advanced from the group stage at the last World Cup but will be challenged to repeat that run in Group D against Lionel Messi’s Argentina as well as sturdy teams like Croatia and Iceland.

LeBron James and Lionel Messi share the pursuit of surpassing a player fans widely consider to be the greatest ever. For Messi, it’s the shadow of Diego Maradona, a forward who dragged Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title with a flair for the spectacular.

Though Messi has scored far more goals than Maradona, his zero team titles with Argentina are a smudge on his legacy, and one many Argentinians feel lifts Maradona above him.

This World Cup may be one of his final chances and, much like LeBron, he hasn’t had much help as he and his talented, but struggling teammates barely qualified for this tournament.

If you pulled for the Warriors in the NBA Finals…

Much as the Warriors’ free-flowing team basketball demoralizes opponents with overwhelming talent, Spain’s famous “tiki-taka” brand of soccer is enhanced by the country’s world-class players.

That style and ability led to the 2010 World Cup title as well as European Championships in 2008 and 2012. “Tiki-taka” inevitably changed as teams adjusted, but even under a new head coach the Spanish style of high possession remains.

They’ve even got a little villain in them as players like Diego Costa and Sergio Ramos share “Love them if they’re on your team” traits with Warriors like Draymond Green.

If you pulled for Alabama in the College Football Playoff…

Germany's Mesut Ozil, left, vies for the ball with Austria's David Alaba during a friendly soccer match between Austria and Germany in Klagenfurt, Austria, Saturday, June 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)(Photo: The Associated Press)

Your new favorite team: Germany (No. 1)

Your new favorite player: Mesut Özil, Midfielder

Ruthless. Efficient. Cold. Dominating. All the words that have come to represent Nick Saban’s Alabama teams can also describe the four-time and current reigning World Cup champions.

They may not feature a transcendent goal scorer like Argentina’s Messi or Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, but they make up for it with rock-solid defense and top talent at nearly every position.

Just as it is with the Crimson Tide, it’ll take the best shot from one of the tournament’s top teams to dethrone the Germans, and even that might not be enough.

The French may well have the most talented and deep roster of any team in the 2018 World Cup, featuring world-class veterans and some of the sport’s most promising prospects.

They also have a history of controversial and heartbreaking collapses, such as flaming out of the 2010 World Cup after players revolted on the coaching staff and boycotted practice during the tournament.

Even in moments of greatness – such as defeating Germany for the first time in 50 years in the 2016 European semifinals – France seems to find a way to snatch back defeat as they lost the ensuing final 1-0 to Portugal in Paris.